Beaverton teacher’s latest tome tinkers with sacred texts

“Sacred Books” series may be banned by Christian groups for fictional recounting of Bible stories

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 18, 2009, Updated Nov 19, 2009

Jaime Valdez / Beaverton VAlley Times

David Michael Slater released several books this past year including two books in his Sacred Books series and children’s picture books, “The Bored Book,” “Ned Breaks His Heart,” “Ned’s Nose is Running,” “On the Level,” “A Wrench in the Works,” “Milo & The Monster,” and “Battle of the Books.”

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David Michael Slater’s second volume in his six-part, young adult “Sacred Books” series comes with a disclaimer: It’s not for everyone.

Some parents will likely ban their children from reading it.

And, two Christian high schools have already asked the prolific Hillsdale author to refrain from talking about the series during his guest appearances with students.

The reason for the prohibition lies in Slater’s controversial twist on sacred, religious works in the newly released “The Book of Knowledge.”

Dexter and Daphna’s tale of suspense and quest to find answers continues in the second book as the 13-year-old twins dig deeper and deeper into the mysterious history of an ancient book full of utter nonsense that they found. Every discovery they make into the origin of the book and its magical language reveals even greater secrets into the mystery surrounding the history of the world itself.

“It’s hard to explain what happens in the book without giving it all away,” Slater admits. “I can say this book is a recasting of original, religious stories that is fully intended to be a piece of fiction. It doesn’t claim to be, pretend to be or want to be nonfiction.

“I have no hidden agenda that I know a better truth.”

This series is not for folks who will not tolerate any tinkering with religious texts, he said.

“If people didn’t like ‘The deVinci Code’ or ‘The Golden Compass,’ then they won’t like my series,” Slater said. “Being a teacher and a parent, I support parents finding appropriate books for their children.”

Vast secrets

The Sacred Books series is intended to challenge young readers, said the longtime teacher.

Slater, who taught language arts at Mountain View Middle School for 13 years, now teaches advanced writing to juniors at Beaverton’s Health and Science High School.

“Bookish kids will love this book,” Slater said. “A lot of the action is intellectual and comes as the twins figure stuff out.

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